tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60352699527012838182024-03-05T01:00:30.904-08:00Go Geezers Guide: Theater in Portland4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-49949596881543889512013-07-01T23:27:00.001-07:002013-07-01T23:27:15.959-07:00Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - Portland PlayhouseBook by Alex Timbers Music & Lyrics by Michael Friedman<br />
Directed by Brian Weaver<br />
Storyteller - Lorraine Bahr<br />
Andrew Jackson - Logan Benedict<br />
Adams/Ensemble - Sean McGrath<br />
Tour Guide/Ensemble -Cristi Miles<br />
Black Fox/Ensemble - Jared Miller<br />
Clay-Ensemble - Chris Murray<br />
Rachel - Melissa Murray<br />
Monroe/Ensemble - Darius Pierce<br />
Ensemble - Danielle Purdy; Alexandra Ramirez<br />
Van Buren/Ensemble - Jason Rouse<br />
Announcer/Ensemble - Jennifer Rowe<br />
Cheerleader/Ensemble - Beth Thompson<br />
Naomi/Ensemble - Sara Catherine Wheatley<br />
Calhoun/Ensemble - John San Nicolas<br />
Lyncoya - Ethan Reed Mckay<br />
Lyncoya - Maeve O'Connor<br />
<br />
The story of Andrew Jackson's rise from Indian fighter to President with attendant historical figures. A great production music and scenes.<br />
<br />4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-41867590239068832602013-07-01T23:12:00.000-07:002013-07-01T23:12:00.837-07:00And So It Goes - Artists Repertory TheatreWritten by Aaron Posner and directed by Aaron Posner<br />
Tom Newton - Tim True<br />
Kate Newton - Valerie Stevens<br />
Newt, Stage Manager, John - Andy Lee-Hillstrom<br />
Catherine, Helene, Paula - Kayla Lian<br />
Harry, Roy - Alex Hurt<br />
Verne, George - Leif Norby<br />
Doris, Gloria - Sarah Lucht<br />
<br />
The Mask and Wig Club puts on a play every year in a small town. A shy new woman in town is invited to join the cast which includes a shy hardware store stock boy who only comes alive when he is in character in one of the plays. Fun production.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-29650915989650001102013-07-01T23:01:00.001-07:002013-07-01T23:01:29.227-07:00The Gin Game - Artists Repertory TheatreWritten by D. L. Coburn and directed by JoAnn Johnson<br />
Weller Martin - Allen Nause<br />
Fonsia Dorsey - Vana O'Brien<br />
<br />
Man and woman in a nursing home face the reality of aging and the end days of life across a card table on the back patio playing gin.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-38300644227032276152013-07-01T22:57:00.001-07:002013-07-01T22:57:35.541-07:00Mother Teresa Is Dead - Portland PlayhouseWritten by Helen Edmundson and Directed by Isaac Lamb<br />
Jane - Nikki Weaver<br />
Frances - Gretchen Corbett<br />
Mark - Chris Harder<br />
Srinivas - Luke Bartholomew<br />
<br />
Personal responsibility in the face of the gulf between the developing world and the industrialized world. Explores what it means to try to address the problems both from a political and personal basis. Woman leaves husband to go to India to do good leaving behind a child in order to save other children.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-75558709394810319922013-07-01T15:57:00.003-07:002013-07-01T15:57:57.081-07:00Ten Chimneys - Artists Repertory TheatreWritten by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Damaso Rodriquez<br />
<br />
Alfred Lunt - Michael Mendelson<br />
Lynn Fontanne - Linda Alper<br />
Uta Hagen - Abby Wilde<br />
Hattie Sederholm - JoAnn Johnson<br />
Sydney Greenstreet - Todd Van Voris<br />
Carl Sederholm - Chris Harder<br />
Louise Green - Sarah Lucht<br />
<br />
A ham-handed take off of The Seagull the play is a comedy/drama with a bit of wit and a very slender narrative thread. Not brilliant but perfectly acceptable performances. 4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-48949971508058202622013-07-01T15:43:00.003-07:002013-07-01T15:43:45.516-07:00My Children! My Africa! - Profile TheaterWritten by Athol Fugard; directed by Adriana Baer<br />
Mr. M - Bobby Mermea<br />
Isbel Dyson - Chelsie Kinney<br />
Thami Mbikwana - Gilbert Feliciano<br />
<br />
Setting: Camdeboo, South Africa, 1985<br />
<br />
Thami, a black student in an apartheid school is in a debate contest with a white girl from a privileged white school under the direction of Mr. M. Mr. M believes his student Thami is outstanding and has a chance to go far within the limits of blacks in apartheid South Africa--Thami turns to revolution, to break the boundaries that Mr. M sees no way to escape in the short run and turns in the revolutionaries and is subsequently killed by them. <br />
<br />
Well acted, another excellent play from the incomparable Mr. Fugard.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-5819316195894571552013-07-01T15:36:00.000-07:002013-07-01T15:36:06.907-07:00Ithaka Artists Repertory Theatrewritten by Andrea Stolowitz<br />
Director - Gemma Whelan<br />
Odysseus/Jacob - Victor Mack<br />
Captain Elaine Edwards - Dana Millican<br />
Lance Corporal Eve Richardson - Danielle Purdy<br />
Bill Edwards - Paul Angelo<br />
E.M. Richardson - Valerie Stevens<br />
<br />
mc: Good storytelling, good acting, got me into the emotions and struggles of the context.<br />
sz: Story about PTSS woman returns from war tortured by guilt and questions of her role in an incident in which her friend dies: should she have shot the child instead?<br />
<br />4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-954011982565076292013-02-23T17:00:00.002-08:002013-02-23T17:00:53.150-08:00The Lost Boy - Artists Repertory TheaterWritten by Susan Mach and Directed Allan Nause<br />
Cast: Christian Ross - Michael Fischer-Welsh<br />
Sarah Ross - Dana Millican<br />
Detective Heins - Doren Ellias<br />
Bill Mosher - Duffy Epstein<br />
Joseph Douglas - Sean Doran<br />
PT Barnum - Todd Van Voris<br />
Zalumma Agra - Louisa Sermol<br />
Tom Thumb/Zahaer - Sam Dinkowitz<br />
Charlie Ross - Logan Martin<br />
Walter Ross - Harper Lea<br />
Cynthia - Elizabeth Houghton<br />
Ian McKean - Geoff Kanick<br />
<br />
Child kidnapping reveals fractures in family that struggles to come to find a way to reclaim their child while dealing with the public fascination and scrutiny. Wheeling and dealing family and showmen all want a piece of the profits that can be made from a tragedy. We weren't impressed with how it all played out.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-61175983074351471902013-02-23T16:54:00.001-08:002013-02-23T16:54:17.279-08:00Seven Guitars - Artists Repertory TheaterWritten by August Wilson and Directed by Kevin Jones<br />
Cast: Canewell - Victor Mack<br />
Red Carter - Michael J Asberry<br />
Vera Dotsun - Ramona Lisa Alexander<br />
Louise - Gayle Samuels<br />
Hedley - Mujahid Abdul-Rashid<br />
Floyd Barton - Lance McQueen<br />
Ruby - Ashley Williams<br />
<br />
August Wilson is one of our favorite playwrights and we love to see any of his plays especially when they are well done as this was. This is 1940s Pittsburgh Cycle play begins and ends with the funeral of the main character. Floyd Barton recently released from jail has an opportunity to go to Chicago and record his music and possible set his life on a different path, but while he might think is done with the past, the past isn't done with him, nor is breaking the codes and patterns around easily accomplished. 4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-71113156495961421272013-02-23T16:44:00.003-08:002013-02-23T16:44:39.869-08:00Circle Mirror Transformation - Artists Repertory TheaterWritten by Annie Baker and Directed by Allen Nause<br />
Cast: Marty - Beth Harper<br />
James - Richard Elmore<br />
Schultz - Jason Glick<br />
Theresa - Val Landrum<br />
Lauren - Danielle Purdy<br />
<br />
Various individuals from a small town meet and participate in a creative drama class. Their real lives have complexities that are demonstrated and ameliorated in the drama class. Kind of new "agey"4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-88218535230252273562013-02-23T16:39:00.000-08:002013-02-23T16:39:12.578-08:00I am Still the Duchess of Malfi - Artists Repertory TheaterWritten by Joseph Fisher and Directed by John Karetzu<br />
Cast: The Cardinal - Todd Van Voris<br />
Delio - Nicholas Hongola<br />
Bosola - Chris Murray<br />
Ferdinand - Jack Street<br />
Antonio - Vin Shambry<br />
Cariola - Camille Cettina<br />
The Duchess - Sara Catherine Wheatley<br />
<br />
Well done reconfigured tale of revenge with laughs and serious content. 4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-83930898375247882872013-02-23T16:30:00.000-08:002013-02-23T16:30:02.054-08:00Race - Artists Repertory Theater Written by David Mamet and Directed by Tamara Fisch<br />
Cast: Jack - Todd Van Voris<br />
Henry - Reginald Andre Jackson<br />
Susan - Ayanna Berkshire<br />
Charles - Jim Iorio<br />
<br />
Legal issues demonstrate social and cultural attitudes, prejudices, assumptions, complications of our society when it comes to race and gender - did he didn't he rape the black woman, and who should or could bes defend him. Not sure what all we learned from watching this.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-84527567683044986192012-07-01T16:22:00.003-07:002012-07-01T16:22:59.417-07:00Brother, Sister Plays Part 2 - The Brothers Size and Marcus or the Secret of Sweet - Portland Playhouse<br />
Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney; Directed by Victor Mack<br />
Cast: Shun, Shunta Iyun - Lava Alapa<br />
Ogun - Bobby Bermea<br />
Elegva, Legva, Marcus - Brian Demar Jones<br />
Aunt Elegua, Shun - Jennifer Lanier<br />
Oya, Osha - Ramona Lisa<br />
Man from state, O Li Roon - Jonah Weston<br />
Shango, Oshoosi, Terrell - Damian Thompson<br />
Egungun, Shua - Salim Sanchez<br />
Momma Moja, the woman who reminds you, Oba - Jocelyn Seid<br />
<br />
Brothers one hard working the other has a dream of owning a car. This is about what is it to be a brother; how many ways is love demonstrated; what kind of sacrifices are required within that love. Beautifully performed; magnificently presented - walked out crying.<br />4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-43747449744126976172012-07-01T16:19:00.003-07:002012-07-01T16:19:59.798-07:00The Brother Sister Plays Part 1 In the Red and Brown Water- Portland PlayhouseWritten by Tarell Alvin McCraney; Directed by Victor Mack<br />
Cast: Shun, Shunta Iyun - Lava Alapa<br />
Ogun - Bobby Bermea<br />
Elegva, Legva, Marcus - Brian Demar Jones<br />
Aunt Elegua, Shun - Jennifer Lanier<br />
Oya, Osha - Ramona Lisa<br />
Man from state, O Li Roon - Jonah Weston<br />
Shango, Oshoosi, Terrell - Damian Thompson<br />
Egungun, Shua - Salim Sanchez<br />
Momma Moja, the woman who reminds you, Oba - Jocelyn Seid<br />
<br />
Young woman's dreams of being a runner are deferred to help her mother; dreams which are not available when you look for them later. Pursued by young men: one who offers stability; one who offers sexual attraction. No good or easy choices; protagonist wants a child but is barren. Stunning performance; the reason we go to theater is to discover plays like this.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-83483233536930143462012-07-01T16:11:00.001-07:002012-07-01T16:11:32.870-07:00Red - Portland Center StageWritten by John Logan; directed by Rose Riordan<br />
Cast: Mark Rothko - Daniel Benzali<br />
Ken - Patrick Alparone<br />
<br />
Clever staging; great text. Explores the nature of the relationship of art and philosophy and ego. Acting was Ok but one craved to see a real powerhouse actor engage the text.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-47039328317344823122012-07-01T16:07:00.002-07:002012-07-01T16:07:45.031-07:00A Lesson Before Dying - Profile TheaterWritten by Romulus Linney (from a novel by Earnest J Gaines); directed by Kevin E Jones<br />
Cast: Paul Bonin - Dennis Kelly<br />
Emma Glenn - Brenda Phillips<br />
Grant Wiggins - Carl Kennedy<br />
Sam Guidry - Stephan Henry<br />
Jefferson - Harold Warren<br />
Vivian Baptiste - Andrea White<br />
Rev Moses Ambrose - Jerry Foster<br />
<br />
Black man accused of a crime is called a pig and condemned to death. He responds by saying that if is called a pig he should act like a pig. His family and community fight to convince him that no one should be defined by someone else and he must act like a man not a pig before he dies. Nicely done!4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-9001971518621151002012-07-01T16:03:00.000-07:002012-07-01T16:03:00.627-07:00Penelope - Third Rail TheaterWritten by Enda Walsh; directed by Philip Cuomo<br />
Cast: Burns - Christopher David Murray<br />
Quinn - Michael O'Connell<br />
Dunn - Tim True<br />
Fitz - Bruce Burkhartsmeier<br />
Penelope - Britt Harris<br />
<br />
What a great play! Well done and well staged. It was nice to have the old Third Rail company back! It is a take on the Illiad from the perspective of the Penelope's (Odysseus's wife) suitors. Penelope representing a future worth living and all the heart is called to but is also ever elusive and the competition among men in the pursuit of the unattainable.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-4423712805741679162012-07-01T15:58:00.000-07:002012-07-01T15:58:12.053-07:00Hard Times - CoHo TheaterAdapted from The Charles Dickens novel by Stephen Jeffreys; directed by Michael Gerber<br />
Cast: Camille Cettina; Ted de Chatelet; David Janovik; McKenna Twedt<br />
<br />
Every member of the cast played multiple parts. Interesting staging; good costumes but we weren't sufficiently caught up in the play to endure the dreadful seating. The seats are too low to sit in comfortably for the duration.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-40274412277077146392012-07-01T15:54:00.000-07:002012-07-01T15:54:15.624-07:00Next to Normal - Artists Repertory TheaterPlay by Brian Yorkey; Directed by Jon Kretzu<br />
Cast: Diana - Susannah Mars<br />
Dan - William Wadhams<br />
Gabe - John Debkowski<br />
Natalie - Meghan McCandless<br />
Henry - Todd Tschida<br />
The Doctor - Jared Q Miller<br />
<br />
Mom's fighting mental illness while family struggles to take care of her and themselves; no easy chore. Done as a musical. Too bad cast wasn't up to the task. Good try production.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-67563697670265116532012-07-01T15:49:00.002-07:002012-07-01T15:49:55.132-07:00The New Electric Ballroom - CoHo TheaterReading play by Enda Walsh<br />
Cast: Breda - Jacklyn Maddux<br />
Clara - Beth Harper<br />
Ada - Stephanie Gaslin<br />
Patsy - Isaac Lamb<br />
<br />
Sisters remember pivotal day from their youth. Would be fun to see a full production with all the costume changes and make up as described.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-28392011552969444952012-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:002012-01-16T15:55:40.925-08:00The Collaborators (National Theater Live) A--Thank you Third Rail for organizing these presentations of National Theater Live here in Portland. We are sorry you did not--for this presentation--as you have for all the others-- hand out an information sheet about the play and cast. <br />
<br />
So I am lacking a lot of details as I write .. maybe I'll find the info on line and add it later. But while it is fresh in my mind I want to say..<br />
<br />
this is a great play--It is about the nexus between 'art and politics' and covers lots of other territory in the process especially pertaining to personal responsibility and rationalizations while it suggests that governing really is hard -- that would include governing yourself--as well as a nation. Fabulous acting! Highly recommended4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-36527938261652735382012-01-16T15:44:00.000-08:002012-01-16T15:47:46.524-08:00Collapse (Third Rail) Grade Cby Allison Moore<br />
Directed by Slayden Scott Yarbough<br />
<br />
Cast:<br />
Hannah ..... Rebecca Lingafelter<br />
David ..... Jim Iorio<br />
Susan ..... Stephanie Gaslin<br />
Ted ..... Shelly Lipkin<br />
<br />
sez says: humm -- this is suppose to be a comedy--but it is not charged with laughter. A few giggles here and there --but really funny? no, it is not. Partly that is the play--partly it is the production. The story is about a husband and wife suffering from the husband's lingering trauma (the result of being on a bridge that collapsed-based on a real event in Minnesota). Their lives have not gotten back on track since that event--and as we enter the story, things seem to be getting worse. The wife's black-sheep sister shows up saying she plans to live with them for awhile, and the sister seems to be working as a mule in a drug deal. The wife is worried she may be laid-off from her job. The traumatized husband is drinking more and more. Because the story needs to move-- a mistaken identify motif is introduced via an impotent sex addict -- In the end--husband and wife decide that so long as they are together they will be just fine ....<br />
<br />
Now, if this were funny, maybe it would be worth watching.. but it doesn't make it to funny. The subject in not necessarily funny--so it would take some special acting to get it to be humorous. While most of the acting was ok, there was a big problem with Stephanie Gaslin's Susan. She was flat. Gaslin presents Susan by throwing her arms wide in big swooping movements -- over and over and over and over. You can not discover a character via overstated body movements alone. It was as if Gaslin couldn't find a way to bring her character to life--and her character needs to be brought to life to find the humor in the story.<br />
<br />
In sum: A bit disappointing. Light entertainment at best. Not the best play--and a mediocre production.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-48625485094003680822012-01-16T15:18:00.000-08:002012-01-16T15:18:38.376-08:00Hunter Gathers (Theatre Vertigo) Grade B+by Peter Sinn Narchtrieb<br />
Directed by Tom Moorman<br />
<br />
Cast:<br />
Pam ..... Karry Ryan<br />
Richard ..... Mario Calcagno<br />
Wendy ..... Brooke Fletcher<br />
Tom ..... Joel Harmon<br />
<br />
sez says ... here is something we have decided-- You Can Count on TheatreVertigo. This band of actors choose the best plays around to produce --and they add plenty of heart and heat to these great plays when they stage them. What more can you ask of any company? Ok -- so they are not National Theater of England level master actors--but they are GOOD. And, they seem to always come up with exceptional works: nothing hum drum is going to get on their stage.<br />
<br />
And this is certainly true for their latest: Hunter Gathers. What a ride. A simple story about two couples, 30- somethings, who meet for an annual dinner..but what a dinner. From slaughtering their own lamb for dinner--so the meat will be truly fresh... to the discovery that each members of the dinner party seems to be at a different stage in human evolution, the story moves into territory too often ignored. The beast in men that seeks to determine who is the ALPHA-dominant male. The imperative to procreate. Meanwhile suppressed sexual desires--and not so suppressed sexual desires are let loose --while we, as an audience, are left to ask just how good is it to be "close to nature". Plus there are plenty of laughs to go around. All four actors do yeoman service to their characters --one being more fun than the next. Highly recommended. We give thanks for for a great show.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-69294909881516323642012-01-02T18:19:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:19:49.109-08:00Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches (Portland Playhouse) Grade A+By Tony Kushner<br />
Directed by Michael Weaver<br />
<br />
Cast<br />
Roy Cohn ..... Ebbe Roe Smith<br />
Joe Pitt ..... Chris Harder<br />
Harper Pitt ..... Nikki Weaver<br />
Belize ..... Berwick Haynes<br />
Louis Ironson ..... Noah Jordan<br />
Prior Walker ..... Wade McCollum<br />
Hannah Pitt + Rabbi + ..... Gretchen Corbett<br />
The Angel ..... Lorraine Bahr<br />
<br />
Life has gotten too busy so I can't write the sort of review I would likt to--but I don't want to maiss a chance to at least says that this is a brilliant play and it is beautifully done. <br />
<br />
Hats Off the Portland Playhouse for their latest in a string of winners. Bringing together some of Portland's best talent with just the right mix of imported help, making magic happen on stage with minimal sets and thus making The Play Be The Thing is the gift this company brings to our fair city --so we send thanks and look forward to their next offering.4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035269952701283818.post-43406166341311129612012-01-02T18:09:00.000-08:002012-01-02T18:09:27.225-08:00The Prisoner of Second Avenue (Profile Theatre) Grade Bby Neil Simon<br />
Directed by Thom Bray<br />
<br />
Cast:<br />
Mel Edison ..... Don Alder<br />
Edna Edison ..... Karla Mason<br />
Harry Edison ..... Thomas Bray<br />
Pearl ..... Jane Unger<br />
Jessie ..... Jean Miller<br />
Pauline ..... Jane Fellows<br />
<br />
plot -- Don has lost his very good job, wife Edna has to go to work, brother Harry wants to help, sisters Pearl Jessie and Pauline are a riot. <br />
<br />
sez says: Neil Simon holds up -- he is a very clever writer --and he also is willing to take on topics that have resonance in our culture. Here we look at unemployment, aging, male pride, family connections and contradictions - all with a light enough touch to make us smile in recognition--and serious enough to make us think about how the world works. (and my --how men's and women's relations have change since this was written-!)4 Geezershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149609580054264303noreply@blogger.com0